Ryzumvi Approved to Treat Pharmacologically Induced Mydriasis

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Ryzumvi Approved to Treat Pharmacologically Induced Mydriasis

Ocuphire Pharma and Viatris announced the FDA approval of phentolamine ophthalmic solution 0.75% (Ryzumvi) for the reversal of pharmacologically induced mydriasis produced by adrenergic agonists (eg, phenylephrine) or parasympatholytic agents (eg, tropicamide).

Ryzumvi, formerly known as Nyxol, is expected to become commercially available in the United States during the first half of 2024. It will be the only commercially available treatment to reverse dilated eyes. At this time, no pricing information has been shared and “further information will be provided at product launch.”

Ocuphire Pharma previously announced that it was entering into a global license agreement with FamyGen Life Sciences for the development and commercialization of Ryzumvi (then known as Nyxol) for reversal of mydriasis, presbyopia, and night vision disturbances in the United States, Europe, China, and others. 

According to Viatris Eye Care Division President Jeffrey Nau, PhD, “Comprehensive dilated eye exams are vital for early detection of vision-compromising diseases. Our hope is that by addressing patient dilation barriers, we’re empowering eye care professionals to broaden exam availability, leading to enhanced eye health outcomes.”

In the MIRA clinical trial program of Ryzumvi involving more than 600 patients, the most common ocular adverse reactions were instillation site discomfort (16%) and conjunctival hyperemia (12%).

My Two Cents

I’ll be interested to see how much the eye care community embraces Ryzumvi and what Viatris’ formal recommendations for price and use will be. I find it extremely notable that the drop was found to be equally effective in patients of all age ranges, including pediatric patients 3 to 17 years of age. This allows for broad use in our clinics; however, the relatively high percentage of patients experiencing discomfort with the drop will have to be monitored.

OUTSIDE THE LANE

A Reminder to Make Sure Contact Lens Patients Know Basic Facts

A personal trainer who was partially blinded after contracting a bacterial infection in her eye from her dirty makeup bag is now publicly warning others of the risks.

Twenty-four-year-old Laura Hawkins was traveling in Australia when she woke up one morning in excruciating pain and could not open her right eye. She discovered that her contact lenses, which she stored inside her makeup bag, had acquired some harmful bacteria that caused an ulcer. She sought immediate medical attention, but was left with substantial corneal scarring, which resulted in permanently reduced visual acuity.

Laura Hawkins/SWNS

She was hospitalized for a week and put on a course of strong painkillers and eye drops while doctors scraped bacterial cells from her eye. Now back home, she is awaiting a referral for a corneal transplant. Ms. Hawkins thinks there should be more pre-warning before contact lenses are issued. She states, “Nobody warned me what could happen — they told me the importance of cleaning my hands and using the saline solution, which I always did, but they never said that this could happen.”

My Two Cents

This is a stark reminder of the damage that can occur when individuals see soft contact lenses as a commodity rather than a medical device. By the sound of it, Ms. Hawkins was never adequately educated, trained, or possibly fitted with the correct contact lenses. I’m not entirely sure how she knew the culprit was a dirty makeup bag; however, there must have been some compelling evidence for her to be so adamant about the dangers. Don’t forget the importance of proper patient education—and that includes teaching the fact that contact lenses are medical devices.

CAN YOU RELATE

I’m big on staff and team member education. I love doing little things around the clinic to show them what I’m doing, how treatments work, and what causes our patients’ dry eyes. Just today, I received a cheap, $30 microscope from Amazon and did my first “plating” since undergrad (approximately 15 years ago)! It may not be pretty—and it may be a little dehydrated and/or damaged—but this was the first Demodex that I plated off a patient.